efore
we start, check out my previous article in this issue, beginning on page 14. I want opinions, good readers.

As for this column . . . my goodness, does sweeps month always
bring so many episodes to review? Judging from the numbness in my fingers, the
answer would appear to be "yes". Luckily, this is probably the first
column in a long time to demonstrate that DS9 and Voyager can be
of similar quality at the same time. It's a given, of course, that DS9 is
better . . . but for one blissful month, let's pretend they're both equally
superb shows, shall we?

Speaking of shows, on with ours . . .

BEHIND THE LINES

Written by Rene Echevarria
Directed by LeVar Burton

"The ocean becomes the drop."

Eeek! Scary! No . . . scarier than scary.
If ever one of the station crew were to turn traitor, it was always most likely
to be Odo. Considering his repressed desire to return to his people, it is a
deadly shadow that has always hung over proceedings. But to actually see it
happen, and to see Odo calmly saying that the concerns of the Alpha Quadrant and
his solid friends are no longer important to him . . .?! Oh boy, things are
going bad.

For many people, it seems. Kira's resistance cell faces the fact
that the minefield will be down shortly, and Rom's attempt to sabotage the
station ends in a shambles. The Cardassians and the Jem'Hadar are at each
other's throats as tempers flare and a shortage of ketrecel white is looming.
The Founder woman arrives and drives everyone crazy, to say nothing of raising
their paranoia levels to new heights. This is a story set in the depths of the
arc, and proves to be only yet another middle entry that is superior to almost
everything around it (witness The Empire Strikes Back and DS9's
own "The Circle" from season 2).

The subplot is quite nice as well, as Sisko realizes just how
much he misses command, just how good his crew is, and just how good a captain
Dax can be (something the audience was justly reminded of). Everything from the
phaser cell ceremonies, to the discussion about the honourarium of
"captain" to Nog's continued exposure to his crew . . . all of it was
quite splendid. Back at the main plot, Quark's getting drunk and realizing he
misses the Federation is perhaps the most blissful moment of the entire opening
arc.

There's so much I could say about this episode, but using the end
as inspiration, only one conclusion to this review could do it any justice:
YIKES!!

FAVOR THE BOLD (Part 1)SACRIFICE OF ANGELS (Part 2)

Written by Ira Steven Behr & Hans Beimler
Part 1 Directed by Winrich Kolbe
Part 2 Directed by Allan Kroeker

"We've run out of time."

Incredible. Most first episodes in a two-parter are accused or praised for
their ability to set up the conclusion. "Favor the Bold" is completely
set up, nothing more, nothing less.